Two visually impaired runners complete challenge

Two visually-impaired runners completed an incredible 32-mile challenge across 32 counties tonight and hailed the spirit of Irish adventure and the abilities of people with a disability as their inspiration.A breathless Caroline Casey and Tony Ward crossed the finishing line in Dublin after raising more than €100,000 for charity in their 32-hour dash around the island.

After two gruelling days in which they each ran an 8-minute mile every hour for 32 hours, the Imag!ne Challenge 32 team were looking forward to refreshments at the finish line in the Burlington Hotel.A jubilant Tony Ward thanked the Irish Air Corps, the Royal Air Force, the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, as well as the Rotary Clubs of Ireland for organising the event, and sponsors, Imag!ne, for making the difficult task possible.

“The sheer cliff-face that Challenge 32 presented was always daunting – not only from my own perspective as a runner but also the organisational efforts to make this happen,” he said.“That cliff-face has been well and truly overcome and it is a huge credit to everyone involved in Challenge 32.”Caroline Casey said the effort had pushed her to her limits.“I had nothing left at the end,” she said.

“Challenge 32 pushed me further than any of my adventures before this for sheer physical exertion and mental stamina.“But one of the main aspects of this effort was always a celebration of the Irish spirit of adventure and the abilities of those living with a disability in this country.”Martin Molony, District Governor of Rotary International, Ireland, said his organisation was delighted to have been able to assist the achievement.“Caroline and Tony have really demonstrated the ability of people with disabilities and raised so much for a number of worthwhile charities,” he said.

Brian O’Donohoe, Managing Director of Imag!ne, said sponsoring the event was not a financial decision for the company.“We could see that what Challenge 32 was attempting was exactly the type of thing that we stand for at Imag!ne,” he said.“We believe that human endeavour knows no boundary if people are prepared to push themselves and those around them to smash through the impossible to new realms of the possible.“Tony and Caroline and the entire Challenge 32 team are a credit to Ireland and human endeavour.”

The challenge kicked off in Co Monaghan on Wednesday morning at 10.30am and finished 32 hours later in Dublin.At each location Caroline and Tony ran with the guide runners and over 30 local runners from each area, each of whom raised €100 for charity.With the aid of The Irish Air Corps and RAF helicopters, Garda and PSNI escorts, Caroline and Tony made it to each county in the allotted time.

Along the way, near injuries and poor weather conditions threatened to hamper the challenge, but they could not hinder the two intrepid runners.The €100,000 raised during the challenge will go to three major Irish charities – Blind Sports Ireland, The Jack and Jill Foundation and PHAB (Northern Ireland) Inclusion Matters.